Paradox CEO: 'Life by You' Cancellation Was a Mistake

Paradox Interactive CEO Admits Mistakes, Highlights Life by You Cancellation

Paradox Interactive's CEO has acknowledged missteps in recent game development, notably the cancellation of the highly anticipated life simulator, Life by You. This admission came during the company's July 25th financial report.

CEO Fredrik Wester Acknowledges Wrong Decisions

While Paradox Interactive reported strong overall financial results driven by successful titles like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, Wester openly admitted to strategic errors. He specifically cited the cancellation of Life by You as a key example of a project that didn't meet expectations, despite significant investment (nearly $20 million). "We made the wrong calls in several projects, especially outside our core," Wester stated.

Life by You Cancellation and Other Setbacks

Life by You, intended to compete with the Sims franchise, represented a departure from Paradox's usual strategy game focus. Its cancellation on June 17th, following substantial development costs, underscored the company's challenges.

Further complicating matters were issues with other recent releases. Cities: Skylines 2 struggled with performance problems, and Prison Architect 2 faced repeated delays. These difficulties have prompted a reassessment of Paradox Interactive's development strategies.

Focus on Core Strengths

Wester emphasized the company's strong foundation in its core franchises, such as Crusader Kings and Stellaris, in the face of these setbacks. He stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes and maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality games. By acknowledging their errors and concentrating on their established strengths, Paradox Interactive aims to regain momentum and reassure its player base.